STEM Design Challenge – Middle School
The middle school S.T.E.M Design Challenges course is a daily resource class that challenges students to become “engineers”. Students have one to one computer devices which allows the program to be presented as a blended course. This means it uses an online instructional component called Canvas, which is an online learning management system, combined with hands-on activities in the classroom. Students will deepen their understanding of math and science content using inquiry based learning and technological tools before being asked to solve authentic, real- world problems. Students will work collaboratively with their ‘teams’ and use the engineering process to design solutions and build prototypes or models for the challenges or problems they are presented. They will then be asked to use marketing strategies that we learn in class to promote their prototype which provides additional opportunities for skill development in the areas of writing, technology, and art.
STEM Design Challenge – Elementary School
The elementary school S.T.E.M. Design Challenges course is a weekly resource class that teaches students the engineering process through the presentation of challenges or problems using both fictional and nonfictional literature connections. For example, our Kindergarten students become “engineers” as they work in teams to solve the problems presented, such as designing an escape device for Rapunzel’s tower, fixing a leaky tub for a baker, a butcher, and a candlestick maker or creating a restraint device to keep Humpty Dumpty safe. All of these challenges support content across the curriculum with the use of one to one computer devices and interactive notebooks.